SME Outsourcing’s Amina Hussain has become the first British Bangladeshi woman president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce [ABCC], sharing the role with entrepreneur Omar Rashid.
The duo takes on the role from this month after previous president Dr Jason Wouhra – CEO of Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd and 2017 OBE recipient - stepped down to concentrate on his personal business commitments.
Amina Hussain (pictured) is a qualified accountant and heads SME Outsourcing, a business with 24 years of experience in accountancy, taxation, insolvency and forensic accounting. She is also a member of The Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, through which she amplifies the voice of Asian businesses in the UK.
Born and raised in Smethwick, West Midlands, Omar Rashid studied accountancy at Coventry University and gained a Masters in HR Management. He now works closely with SMEs across multiple industries, won the ABCC’s Outstanding Start-Up Business Award in 2018, and co-hosts a business networking event at Everyman Cinema called The Breakfast Club. Among other interests he is a radio presenter on Unity FM, hosting a show known as The Business Hour.
Explaining his decision to step down to make way for Hussain and Rashid, Dr Wouhra said: “I have given this deep thought and I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that I must step down early as ABCC president, due to my personal business commitments.
“Since selling East End Foods to PE and then buying back the wholesale arm of the business through the company Lioncroft Wholesale Limited, I really wish to focus on the future development of the business. I have been involved with the Chamber and ABCC since its formation and the Institute of Asian Businesses before that throughout my business life and I will continue to be associated with them.
“There is a great team with big ambitions at the ABCC supported by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce [GBCC].
“Being president of the ABCC has been a tremendous privilege and over the past two years we have achieved a great deal at the ABCC, successfully tackling the Covid-19 crisis for businesses and managing through a tough business landscape as well as hosting a successful and first ever hybrid and online ABCC awards.
“Throughout my term I had tremendous support from the committee and director Anjum Khan.”
As director, Anjum Khan helped oversee extensive reform within the ABCC during Dr Wouhra’s presidency, which included a review of the ABCC membership offering.
Khan said: “We are, of course greatly disappointed that Jason has had to stand down early but know that we will still be able to draw on his wise counsel. During his tenure as president, he reinvigorated the ABCC and introduced reforms that will sustain us for many years to come.”
Khan also expressed her and the whole ABCC’s gratitidue to Hussain and Rashid for stepping in as Dr Wouhra’s successors.
“We are grateful to Amina (Hussain) and Omar (Rashid) for stepping in and, of course, they could re-stand for re-election together or as individuals at the AGM. We wish them every success in their role as co-presidents.”
Hussain said upon taking up her new position: “I am delighted to step up as co-president of the ABCC. Being the first female British Bangladeshi in history to have gained this position is incredible and I am truly grateful.
“Omar (Rashid) and I, together with our existing executive board committee members, will work tirelessly to collaborate to bring together a bigger, and a much bolder Asian business community, increasing diversity.”
Rashid commented: “I always hoped to become president of the ABCC one day and feel proud that this day has come. It’s an amazing challenge and a challenge I’m confident myself and Amina (Hussain) can be successful in.”
